Robert Reich: Two Cheers and One Jeer for the American Jobs Act

[abelenkpe]

Robert Reich: Two Cheers and One Jeer for the American Jobs Act

http://robertreich.org/post/9984121331


Two cheers for the President and his America’s Jobs Act. Cheer Number One: In presenting it to a joint session of Congress, he sounded as passionate and determined as he’s ever sounded.

Second cheer: He laid out the problem correctly and effectively. He explained why jobs and growth must be the nation’s first priority now — not the federal deficit. The economy is in crisis. People are hurting. So government must act, and act quickly. It’s irresponsible at a time like this to suggest that government should simply close down.

But a jeer because the jobs plan he presented isn’t nearly large enough or bold enough to make a major dent in unemployment, or to restart the economy.

$450 billion sounds like a lot – and is more than I expected — but some of this merely extends current spending (unemployment benefits) and tax cuts (in Social Security taxes), so it doesn’t add to aggregate demand.

(more at link)

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[Broderick]

1. So Robert endorses more trickle down stimulus

I guess we haven't tried it enough. Maybe this time it will work.

[enlightenment]

2. Really?

Care to point out exactly where he endorses that?

I think you may be reading something into his article that isn't there.

[Broderick]

4. He basically says it isn't big enough

And really what is it all???

[enlightenment]

21. 'Not big enough' has nothing to do with

trickle down economic 'theory' . . . and I'm sorry, but I don't understand the remainder of your sentence. All what, exactly?

[zipplewrath]

3. Actually no.

I'm not sure how you read that from what he wrote. You did read it right? He laments the tax cuts generally. And he points out that the entire package is too small, and for all the same reasons the original package was too small. And he also points out that this one will be even LESS successful than the original.

One of the "two cheers" was for SOUNDING good. That's not really a ringing endorsement.

[Broderick]

5. He is saying it isn't big enough

And the bulk of it is more trickle down stimulus.

So that is where I think he endorses and I take his lament with a grain of salt.

[zipplewrath]

7. And he complains about that very aspect

The trickle down aspects are one of his specific complaints, both this version and the original. Too many tax cuts, not enough direct spending.

[Broderick]

9. But look at what he REALLY SAYS:

"The President would have done better with a plan that was big enough to make a real difference. And then, when Republicans rejected it, campaign on it."



WTF, encouraging a president to play politics while people are suffering, hurting, and devastated!!!!


He is spending too much time counting his cash anymore.

[hfojvt]

16. maybe because politics is important

people are going to be hurting worse if Obama's plan fails and Romney is elected President because of it.

Also, if people are hurting because Republicans refused to pass something that helps them, then they can fix that problem at the ballot box by defeating those Republicans.

As it stands now, voters won't have much of a choice if both parties represent trickle down economic plans.

[zipplewrath]

17. As oppose to????

He is ALREADY playing politics. He HAS been playing politics, which is why he was willing and is willing AGAIN to advocate for a plan the he KNOWS will leave MILLIONS still unemployed. He was and is willing to leave unemployment at 8+% for the foreseeable future. He is ONLY taking this action because it is becoming obvious that it will head towards 10% if nothing is done.

[gkhouston]

10. Yup. Obama did a good job of laying out the problem and

explaining its urgency. It's the proposed solution that's not good, because it's unlikely to have a significant positive effect on the situation.

[Broderick]

11. Trickle down economics has worked for us so well

And we want bigger trickle down stimulus..................


Beyond my scope. I need a break I guess from all of it.

[Broderick]

6. This is SO wrong in thinking!

"The President would have done better with a plan that was big enough to make a real difference. And then, when Republicans rejected it, campaign on it."



People are fucking hurting out there and he wants the President to play politics with it???

And it's not big enough? He laments the trickle down economics, but wants it bigger?

UGH.

[abelenkpe]

12. If you check out some of his past blog entries

you'll see that what he was hoping for wasn't trickle down tax cut type of stimulus. He was hoping for a WPA style jobs program that would hire people directly to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. Secure workers making decent wages is the only thing that increases demand.

Some might argue that going small is playing politics in that it is a small boost that would only hold until the election.

Personally, don't think it will pass anyway. Anyone who thinks republicans are going to do anything to help regardless of the desperation felt my the vast majority of citizens, the plan's affordability, it's size or effectiveness is deluding themselves. Republicans want the economy to collapse. They openly dream of chaos and revolution.

[hifiguy]

20. Yup.

Reich has been thumping the tub for direct investment in rebuilding infrastructure via a WPA like program for a couple of YEARS now.

[fasttense]

8. I would give Obama another cheer for using the concept of the social compact.

The RepubliCONS hate the term because it implies the government is we the people and we have agreed to having a government in exchange for some benefits for the entire society. And of course Serial-Killer-worshiping Ayn Randers hate the whole concept of a society.

So Obama is actually using a concept that implies government has a useful purpose and that government has a responsibility to We the People, not just them the rich.

It's a tiny baby-step back in the direction of the liberal world.

[abelenkpe]

13. +1 nt

[FiveGoodMen]

14. In other words...

He explained his plan well and sounded like he really meant it ...

But it's a bad plan.

No cheers from me.

[TheKentuckian]

15. Seems like he isn't as optimistic as lots seem to be portraying, Reich's assessment seems

a lot like mine, fair tone and actually tried to state the seriousness of the problem with substantial failure on the remedy and speaking for myself far too much hesitation and unwillingness to identify the causes and actors behind the problems.

[B2G]

18. Is the plan out on the web yet?

I'd really like to take a look at the details.

[bvar22]

19. Cheer #1 because...

...Obama "sounded" passionate.
Anybody who watched him last Campaign Season already knows Prsident Obama has the talent for sounding passionate.

Cheer #2 because...
...President Obama finally told the truth about the causes
after spending several months telling America that we must drastically CUT Government Spending,
and forming a Super CONgress with those instructions?

Jeer #1 becuase,
...the contents of package FAILS to solve the problem?
WTF?

You now get points for sounding good,
even if what you are saying is bad policy? :shrug:

Man, the bar has really been lowered in the USA.
No wonder we are sinking fast.

If you are reading this,
take steps to protect you & yours,
because we have stepped off the ledge,
are NOW in Free Fall,
and those elected to represent us
are only interested shredding the parachutes,
....but its A-OK if they Sound Good.


You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.

Solidarity!
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[cdsilv]

22. I wonder how Wall Street long pig tastes? Probably highly marbled and fatty. 'let them eat cake'

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --- Thomas Jefferson